If you’ve ever experienced a migraine, you know how incapacitating they can be. Sensitivities to light, sound, and even certain smells can trigger these intense headaches, which can last for hours or even days. Unfortunately, migraines don’t just affect adults; according to HealthyChildren.org, about 10% of children aged 5 to 15 suffer from migraines, and the figure rises to 28% among teenagers. Notably, approximately 50% of these young patients experience their first migraine before turning 12. So, what treatment options are available for these children?
Historically, parents and healthcare providers have turned to medication as a primary treatment for migraines, but these remedies don’t always yield effective results. Research indicates that adolescents often show little difference in migraine relief when using placebo treatments compared to standard medications. However, cognitive-behavioral therapies are emerging as a promising alternative for managing headaches when they first occur. Additionally, a new wearable device is being developed to aid migraine sufferers. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is at the forefront of exploring these innovative strategies.
A three-year research study known as CHAMP, conducted by Cincinnati Children’s, revealed that a placebo was just as effective for migraine relief as the two most widely prescribed medications, topiramate and amitriptyline. Rather than relying solely on pharmaceuticals, the CHAMP study focused on behavioral therapies to alleviate migraine pain.
The 205 teenagers who participated in the study reported an average of 11 headaches each month at the beginning of the research; by the end, that number dropped to just five per month. According to the findings, “Regardless of treatment group (amitriptyline, topiramate, placebo), youth consistently maintained meaningful reductions of headache days and migraine-related disability for three years after completion of the trial.” Notably, fewer than 10% of participants continued using preventive medication, with many reporting no medication use at various checkpoints.
Dr. Noah Williams, Co-Director of the Headache Center at Cincinnati Children’s, highlighted that it seems safe for patients to discontinue long-term migraine medications. “Our findings suggest that the chemicals in the pills likely have little to nothing to do with achieving improved migraine control,” Dr. Williams stated. Instead, consistent self-care practices, such as staying hydrated, getting adequate sleep, exercising regularly, and maintaining regular meal times, were associated with better outcomes. The study also speculated that participating in CHAMP might positively influence the brain development of these teens, a process that continues until around age 25.
An additional study published in December 2020 in the journal Headache introduced a new wearable device called Nerivio, which provides remote electrical neuromodulation at the onset of a headache. Developed by Theranica, an Israeli company, Nerivio was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January as a migraine treatment for individuals aged 12 and older. The device is worn on the upper arm and can be controlled via a smartphone. When a migraine begins, users activate the device for 45 minutes, during which it sends mild electrical signals through the skin to help interrupt the migraine’s progression.
In this study involving 39 participants who used the device at the onset of their migraines, 71% reported relief within two hours, while 35% claimed to be completely pain-free at that point. Additionally, nausea dissipated for 54% of users, and 40% no longer experienced sensitivity to light and sound. Only one participant reported experiencing a slight, temporary discomfort from the device.
“According to my knowledge, this is the first study that directly compared remote electrical neuromodulation with standard treatment options for adolescents,” Dr. Emily Johnson, director of neurology at Cincinnati Children’s and co-director of the Headache Center, stated. “Migraines in teenagers can lead to decreased performance and absences from school and social activities during a crucial developmental period. Offering more effective and engaging treatments for migraines can yield significant benefits over their lifetime.”
Both studies present encouraging news for children and teenagers who suffer from migraines but prefer to avoid long-term medication use. The evidence strongly indicates that behavioral modifications can effectively prevent migraine headaches. Moreover, once widely available, Nerivio will be a valuable tool for those experiencing the onset of a migraine.
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In summary, emerging treatments for migraines in children, including behavioral therapies and the innovative Nerivio device, offer promising alternatives to traditional medication. These strategies not only aim to alleviate pain but also empower young patients to take charge of their health through self-care practices.
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